New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-06-08
"A NAN OF NERVE.
John Scanlon Prefers to meet
Death

John Scanlon Prefers to meet
Death
Rather Than Have His Leg Amputated-A
New Experiment in Surgery Tried on the
Patient-The Theory of the Artificial Union
L of Bones Put Into Practice, and a Dog is
Madeto Save the Mans Leg and Life
One of the most interesting cases.
from a surgical stand point that has
been in this vicinity for many a day is
that of the patient John Scanlon, now
at the Bellevue Hospital, says a New
York special to The Cincinnati E,1qasi,.-
er. Scanlon. is ayoung man Of yigor-
GUS constitution, q machinist at the
aqueduct. He CHANGED to be near by
at one of the accidents that have occur
red with so much frequency that it is
safe to call them criminal, the explo-
sion of a dynamite cartridge that had
not been set off in the general blast,
and was left constant menace to the
lives of the workmcn. Scanlon was
struck in various parts of the body by
flying rock, but the moslserious injury
was to the right leg. A piece of rock
struck it at the right shin. and carried
away a portion of the tibia, or large
bone. There was only a small section
of the bone left on the under side. The
wound in the flesh was extensive, and
presented
A HORRIBLE APPEARANCE.
When Scanlon was taken to the Hos
pital the leg, to the surgeon eye,, was
incurable, and an immediate amputa-'
ton was recommended. Preparations
were made to take off the leg, but the
patient interrupted them and vehem-
emily protested against the operation.
He would not listen to the advice of the
surgeon that to lose his leg would save
his lie, but insisted that he did not de-
sire to live without his leg: and if the
leg was to be buried he would be bur-
with. it. Without the patients consent
an operation can never be undertaken,
and the attending surgeon gave. up the
idea. The next best thing was done,
although it was deemed to be of little
USE The entire leg was put into a plas-
ter cast, made Of bandages filed with
plaster of Paris, which, being wet and
wound around the leg, speedily dried
and hardened. An opening was cut.in
the plaster over the wound, called
window, SO that it could be treated
with antiseptic fluid to prevent the for
nation of pus, if possibfe.
AS was anticipated, the wound would
not heal, and soon became liberated. It
was only by the most careful watch-
ing that blood poisoning was prevent
ed, and the patient, on account of an
irritable disposition, developed by the
gradual loss of strength caused by the
drain upon his vitality to feed the ulcer,
became great trial to the nurses and
physicians. His stubborn will was not
broken. however, and he still PERSISTED
in his determination
TO DIE WITH HIS LEG ON.
The liberation extended to the
sound portions of the leg, though,
fortunately, there was no appearance
of gangrenous tissue. When the
diseased condition extended under the
plaster bandage, portions Of it were
cut away, and finally, as there was no
prospect of any benefit coming from
it's future use, the entire bandage was
removed.
The modern surgeons mind is not
satisfied with theories, and DR.. Brad
ley, who had charge of Scanlon, had
been a pupil of Dr.. Bryant, who fire.
quently discoursed upon the artificial
union of bones and the chances of
making it a success, came to the con-
clusion that the patient was an ex-
cellent subject to try the experiment
on. Scanlon was spoken to about the
matter, and as he was willing to do
anything to save his leg, though he
would not take a guarantee OF fifty
years life without it, he readily gave
his consent, after making the surgeon
explain every thing that was to be done.
The patient was taken to the opera
ting-room and put under ether. The
wound in the leg was enlarged and all
of the diseased tissue was removed.
1t extended to the bone, which was
found to be in a much better condition
than was expected from the, large
amount of liberation, which was
thought to be due to carries. The bone
where it had been broken was rough
and spindles Of it protruded. These
were cut off with bone forceps and the
ragged edges were smoothed with a
file. Tbs made 4 space OF about two